Hello everyone. I hope you are well. Last week we had a little issue here. I was reading the new book by Shari Lapena, The End of Her. I think I've read everything she's written. For some reason, I thought she was from upstate NY, maybe because that is often the setting of her books. She isn't, she is from Canada. Anyway, being originally from upstate NY myself, I often know the areas mentioned and have a strange camaraderie with her stories. I was very anxious to read her latest. The story was full of twists right from the beginning. Often I'll read portions to my husband...someone has to hear the exciting stuff besides me. Well, I progressed too far into the book to read him anything. Frankly, if it continued all twisty and turny I thought he might someday want to read it himself...so I said nothing. Yeah, I guess I uttered "oh my gosh" one too many times. Pretty soon he wants to read it...not later...now! While I'm reading it! The nerve! Did I mention I've read all of her books and had been waiting for The End of Her? I had been waiting and was finally reading it...waiting and reading.
If you're old enough, you'll remember Battle of the Network Stars, well here last week we had battle of the marital bookmarks. Every second I put down the book, he snatches it up. I practically became dehydrated avoiding liquids trying not to have to go to the bathroom. Then the weekend came and I felt guilty for not letting him read it. He works all the time, really, I mean all the time, until all hours of the morning on weekdays so I felt like it was my wifely duty to let him have the book. Yes, I know it means something far more to most people, but in this household it means giving up the brand new, highly anticipated Shari Lapena book. Of course, you know what happened, while I'm watching him read, waiting, postulating my ideas about who did what in the story, he finished the book. Then while I finish it, he is constantly asking where I am and has this coy little smile plastered to his book stealing face.
The End of Her is one of those thrillers I love where every character is unreliable. You not only have to figure out what happened but who is telling the truth. This is the story of a woman, Stephanie, who has twins that have colic and offer her no time to rest. Things start happening, are they real or a symptom of lack of sleep? Then her husband is visited by someone he knew long ago, from the other side of the country. What is she doing here? Secrets are revealed, but which retelling of those tales are true? This book is nicely written, fast paced and full of directional turns. My favorite of all Shari Lapena's books and I've enjoyed them all. Obviously, my husband liked it too.
When you read The End of Her, do yourself a favor. First, stay completely silent, don't express any surprise. Second, I suggest hiding your book within a magazine about house maintenance, that should keep your book safe for your enjoyment.
